Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali is still sentenced to death in Iran for espionage, according to the Iranian authorities. Many human rights organizations have written directly to the Ayatollah and the President requesting dismissal of his case and his release. Many have now requested the United Nations Special Rapporteurs intercede on his behalf and at a minimum dismiss the death sentence he faces. CCS’ letters follow below:

June 20, 2018

Professor Seong-Phil Hong
Chair-Rapporteur, Working Group on
Arbitrary Detention
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
For Human Rights
8-14, Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

Dear Professor Hong:

The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent non-profit organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars dedicated to protecting the human rights and scientific freedom of our colleagues around the world.

At this time, we are writing you with a matter of great urgency and consequence. There is a Professor/ Physician in Iran, Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, who has been sentenced to death for a crime in which he had no involvement. It appears that the prosecutors are aware that this gentleman was not involved but are under considerable pressure to proceed with the sentence.

Dr. Djalali is a scholar of Disaster and Emergency Medicine who is affiliated with universities in Sweden, Italy, Belgium and Iran. He was arrested in April 2016 while traveling in Iran to participate in a series of academic workshops, to which he had been invited to participate. He has since been detained in Evin Prison and was convicted and sentenced to death on October 21, 2017 on a charge of “corruption on earth” (ifsad fil-arz). The charge apparently relates to allegations that Dr. Djalali had been cooperating with Israeli authorities in espionage activities. Iranian authorities have yet to disclose any credible evidentiary basis for these allegations, which Dr. Djalali continues to dispute, asserting that he was arrested and prosecuted for his international academic ties and refusal to spy for the Iranian authorities. On January 19, 2018 it was reported that court officials were considering a request by Dr. Djalali’s lawyers to review the ruling due to “flaws” in the case. We were disappointed to learn on February 4 that the Supreme Court rejected this request, affirming again, Dr. Djalali’s death sentence. Dr. Djalali’s lawyer has commented that the sentence can be carried out at any time.

Since his arrest, Dr. Djalali has been held intermittently in solitary confinement, denied access to a lawyer of his choosing, and subjected to psychological torture. Compounding these due process and mistreatment concerns are reports that Dr. Djalali is suffering from increasing health complications, including diarrhea, weight loss and a possible tumor. Despite these health risks, authorities have reportedly denied him access to proper medical care.

We understand that on February 9, 2018 you issued a joint statement with fellow Special Rapporteurs, urging Iran to annul the death sentence against Dr. Djalali. CCS appreciates this. Based on our understanding of Dr. Djalali’s mounting health complications, denied access to medical care, reports of torture, and the possibility of an imminent execution, we respectfully ask you to follow up on these appeals directly with the Iranian authorities and, if possible, specifically during proceedings at the 38th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

CCS would be willing to provide you with further information or answer any questions you might have. We invite you to address any questions or comments to
Dr. Eugene Chudnovsky, Co-Chair, Committee of Concerned Scientists at Eugene.chudnovsky@lehman.cuny.edu.

The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent non-profit organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars dedicated to protecting the human rights and scientific freedom of our colleagues around the world.

At this time, we are writing you with a matter of great urgency and consequence. There is a Professor/ Physician in Iran, Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, who has been sentenced to death for a crime in which he had no involvement. It appears that the prosecutors are aware that this gentleman was not involved but are under considerable pressure to proceed with the sentence.

Dr. Djalali is a scholar of Disaster and Emergency Medicine who is affiliated with universities in Sweden, Italy, Belgium and Iran. He was arrested in April 2016 while traveling in Iran to participate in a series of academic workshops, to which he had been invited to participate. He has since been detained in Evin Prison and was convicted and sentenced to death on October 21, 2017 on a charge of “corruption on earth” (ifsad fil-arz). The charge apparently relates to allegations that Dr. Djalali had been cooperating with Israeli authorities in espionage activities. Iranian authorities have yet to disclose any credible evidentiary basis for these allegations, which Dr. Djalali continues to dispute, asserting that he was arrested and prosecuted for his international academic ties and refusal to spy for the Iranian authorities. On January 19, 2018 it was reported that court officials were considering a request by Dr. Djalali’s lawyers to review the ruling due to “flaws” in the case. We were disappointed to learn on February 4 that the Supreme Court rejected this request, affirming again, Dr. Djalali’s death sentence. Dr. Djalali’s lawyer has commented that the sentence can be carried out at any time.

Since his arrest, Dr. Djalali has been held intermittently in solitary confinement, denied access to a lawyer of his choosing, and subjected to psychological torture. Compounding these due process and mistreatment concerns are reports that Dr. Djalali is suffering from increasing health complications, including diarrhea, weight loss and a possible tumor. Despite these health risks, authorities have reportedly denied him access to proper medical care.

We understand that on February 9, 2018 you issued a joint statement with fellow Special Rapporteurs, urging Iran to annul the death sentence against Dr. Djalali. CCS appreciates this. Based on our understanding of Dr. Djalali’s mounting health complications, denied access to medical care, reports of torture, and the possibility of an imminent execution, we respectfully ask you to follow up on these appeals directly with the Iranian authorities and, if possible, specifically during proceedings at the 38th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

CCS would be willing to provide you with further information or answer any questions you might have. We invite you to address any questions or comments to
Dr. Eugene Chudnovsky, Co-Chair, Committee of Concerned Scientists at Eugene.chudnovsky@lehman.cuny.edu.

Professor Nils Melzer
Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland

Dear Professor Melzer:

The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent non-profit organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars dedicated to protecting the human rights and scientific freedom of our colleagues around the world.

At this time, we are writing you with a matter of great urgency and consequence. There is a Professor/ Physician in Iran, Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, who has been sentenced to death for a crime in which he had no involvement. It appears that the prosecutors are aware that this gentleman was not involved but are under considerable pressure to proceed with the sentence.

Dr. Djalali is a scholar of Disaster and Emergency Medicine who is affiliated with universities in Sweden, Italy, Belgium and Iran. He was arrested in April 2016 while traveling in Iran to participate in a series of academic workshops, to which he had been invited to participate. He has since been detained in Evin Prison and was convicted and sentenced to death on October 21, 2017 on a charge of “corruption on earth” (ifsad fil-arz). The charge apparently relates to allegations that Dr. Djalali had been cooperating with Israeli authorities in espionage activities. Iranian authorities have yet to disclose any credible evidentiary basis for these allegations, which Dr. Djalali continues to dispute, asserting that he was arrested and prosecuted for his international academic ties and refusal to spy for the Iranian authorities. On January 19, 2018 it was reported that court officials were considering a request by Dr. Djalali’s lawyers to review the ruling due to “flaws” in the case. We were disappointed to learn on February 4 that the Supreme Court rejected this request, affirming again, Dr. Djalali’s death sentence. Dr. Djalali’s lawyer has commented that the sentence can be carried out at any time.

Since his arrest, Dr. Djalali has been held intermittently in solitary confinement, denied access to a lawyer of his choosing, and subjected to psychological torture. Compounding these due process and mistreatment concerns are reports that Dr. Djalali is suffering from increasing health complications, including diarrhea, weight loss and a possible tumor. Despite these health risks, authorities have reportedly denied him access to proper medical care.

We understand that on February 9, 2018 you issued a joint statement with fellow Special Rapporteurs, urging Iran to annul the death sentence against Dr. Djalali. CCS appreciates this. Based on our understanding of Dr. Djalali’s mounting health complications, denied access to medical care, reports of torture, and the possibility of an imminent execution, we respectfully ask you to follow up on these appeals directly with the Iranian authorities and, if possible, specifically during proceedings at the 38th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

CCS would be willing to provide you with further information or answer any questions you might have. We invite you to address any questions or comments to
Dr. Eugene Chudnovsky, Co-Chair, Committee of Concerned Scientists at Eugene.chudnovsky@lehman.cuny.edu.

Professor Dainius Puras
Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone
to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable
Standard of Health
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland

Dear Professor Puras:

The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent non-profit organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars dedicated to protecting the human rights and scientific freedom of our colleagues around the world.

At this time, we are writing you with a matter of great urgency and consequence. There is a Professor/ Physician in Iran, Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, who has been sentenced to death for a crime in which he had no involvement. It appears that the prosecutors are aware that this gentleman was not involved but are under considerable pressure to proceed with the sentence.

Dr. Djalali is a scholar of Disaster and Emergency Medicine who is affiliated with universities in Sweden, Italy, Belgium and Iran. He was arrested in April 2016 while traveling in Iran to participate in a series of academic workshops, to which he had been invited to participate. He has since been detained in Evin Prison and was convicted and sentenced to death on October 21, 2017 on a charge of “corruption on earth” (ifsad fil-arz). The charge apparently relates to allegations that Dr. Djalali had been cooperating with Israeli authorities in espionage activities. Iranian authorities have yet to disclose any credible evidentiary basis for these allegations, which Dr. Djalali continues to dispute, asserting that he was arrested and prosecuted for his international academic ties and refusal to spy for the Iranian authorities. On January 19, 2018 it was reported that court officials were considering a request by Dr. Djalali’s lawyers to review the ruling due to “flaws” in the case. We were disappointed to learn on February 4 that the Supreme Court rejected this request, affirming again, Dr. Djalali’s death sentence. Dr. Djalali’s lawyer has commented that the sentence can be carried out at any time.

Since his arrest, Dr. Djalali has been held intermittently in solitary confinement, denied access to a lawyer of his choosing, and subjected to psychological torture. Compounding these due process and mistreatment concerns are reports that Dr. Djalali is suffering from increasing health complications, including diarrhea, weight loss and a possible tumor. Despite these health risks, authorities have reportedly denied him access to proper medical care.

We understand that on February 9, 2018 you issued a joint statement with fellow Special Rapporteurs, urging Iran to annul the death sentence against Dr. Djalali. CCS appreciates this. Based on our understanding of Dr. Djalali’s mounting health complications, denied access to medical care, reports of torture, and the possibility of an imminent execution, we respectfully ask you to follow up on these appeals directly with the Iranian authorities and, if possible, specifically during proceedings at the 38th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

CCS would be willing to provide you with further information or answer any questions you might have. We invite you to address any questions or comments to
Dr. Eugene Chudnovsky, Co-Chair, Committee of Concerned Scientists at Eugene.chudnovsky@lehman.cuny.edu.

Office of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation
of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland

To whom it may concern:

The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent non-profit organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars dedicated to protecting the human rights and scientific freedom of our colleagues around the world.

At this time, we are writing you with a matter of great urgency and consequence. There is a Professor/ Physician in Iran, Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali, who has been sentenced to death for a crime in which he had no involvement. It appears that the prosecutors are aware that this gentleman was not involved but are under considerable pressure to proceed with the sentence.

Dr. Djalali is a scholar of Disaster and Emergency Medicine who is affiliated with universities in Sweden, Italy, Belgium and Iran. He was arrested in April 2016 while traveling in Iran to participate in a series of academic workshops, to which he had been invited to participate. He has since been detained in Evin Prison and was convicted and sentenced to death on October 21, 2017 on a charge of “corruption on earth” (ifsad fil-arz). The charge apparently relates to allegations that Dr. Djalali had been cooperating with Israeli authorities in espionage activities. Iranian authorities have yet to disclose any credible evidentiary basis for these allegations, which Dr. Djalali continues to dispute, asserting that he was arrested and prosecuted for his international academic ties and refusal to spy for the Iranian authorities. On January 19, 2018 it was reported that court officials were considering a request by Dr. Djalali’s lawyers to review the ruling due to “flaws” in the case. We were disappointed to learn on February 4 that the Supreme Court rejected this request, affirming again, Dr. Djalali’s death sentence. Dr. Djalali’s lawyer has commented that the sentence can be carried out at any time.

Since his arrest, Dr. Djalali has been held intermittently in solitary confinement, denied access to a lawyer of his choosing, and subjected to psychological torture. Compounding these due process and mistreatment concerns are reports that Dr. Djalali is suffering from increasing health complications, including diarrhea, weight loss and a possible tumor. Despite these health risks, authorities have reportedly denied him access to proper medical care.

We understand that on February 9, 2018 you issued a joint statement with fellow Special Rapporteurs, urging Iran to annul the death sentence against Dr. Djalali. CCS appreciates this. Based on our understanding of Dr. Djalali’s mounting health complications, denied access to medical care, reports of torture, and the possibility of an imminent execution, we respectfully ask you to follow up on these appeals directly with the Iranian authorities and, if possible, specifically during proceedings at the 38th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

CCS would be willing to provide you with further information or answer any questions you might have. We invite you to address any questions or comments to
Dr. Eugene Chudnovsky, Co-Chair, Committee of Concerned Scientists at Eugene.chudnovsky@lehman.cuny.edu.